Exciting new era for BTN BikeShare as Beryl announced as new provider 

We have agreed a contract with the UK’s leading micromobility provider, Beryl, to deliver the city’s new e-bike share scheme.           

Work is now underway between the council and Beryl to relaunch a new and improved scheme in the spring of 2023, which will include:      

• At least 60% of the new fleet of bikes will be electric        
• 312 new pedal-only bikes to replace the existing pedal-only fleet with a further 468 E-bikes to make up a fleet of 780 total. 
• More bike docking stations around the city to make the scheme truly city wide
• A range of tariff options for users
• A new sponsor partnership offer

Picture: Beryl bikes

Removing barriers

Phil Ellis CEO of Beryl said: “Our core aim is to remove the barriers to sustainable travel for as many people as possible, encouraging people out of the car by providing them with a sustainable, convenient, reliable, cost-effective and fun alternative. 

“We’re very experienced at delivering schemes with local authority partners and we look forward to working closely with Brighton and Hove City Council and with key stakeholders to ensure this scheme provides the best possible service to users.

“Ultimately, by getting more people using two-wheeled transport, we can help reduce congestion and harmful carbon emissions while improving public health and the quality of the region’s air.”

Easy, active and sustainable

Councillor Steve Davis, Co-Chair of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability committee said: “It’s very exciting to have a new operator on board. Beryl has a proven track record for delivering and operating cycle hire schemes nationwide and I can’t wait to see the new look fleet, with electric bikes, hit the streets of Brighton & Hove next year.

“Cycle hire is a fantastic way of getting around the city in an easy, active and sustainable way. BTN BikeShare is a community asset we can be very proud of as we enter a new era for the scheme.”

“I’d  also like to thank the current operator Hourbike for operating the scheme since its launch in 2017. It’s thanks to their hard work, skill and dedication that BTN BikeShare has been such a success story for the city.

More about Beryl

Beryl is the UK's leading micromobility company and aims to inspire more people to take up sustainable travel options, ultimately reducing road congestion and improving air quality and public health. 

They are currently the only B-Corp certified operator and place people, social responsibility and environmental sustainability at the same level as financial sustainability.

The company has delivered affordable bike, e-cargo bike and e-scooter schemes in locations around the country; including Norwich, Watford, Hereford, Bournemouth, the Isle of Wight, Hackney, Greater Manchester, Solent and, most recently, Cornwall. 

Beryl schemes are delivered both in partnership with cities and in consultation with communities and key stakeholders to ensure they deliver the most beneficial and best possible service.

In September 2020, Beryl became the world’s first provider of a city-wide multimodal smart fleet serving various journey types and needs.  

They also provide technology for the London Santander Bikes and the West Midlands Cycle Hire schemes.

Founded on safety and sustainability principles, Beryl also designs innovative products in consultation with experts and our community to solve everyday real problems. Their first product, the Laserlight, was created to tackle city cyclists’ biggest problem: being caught in the blind spot. The core laser technology is integrated into all Beryl schemes as well as bikes in London, Montreal, Edinburgh and Glasgow. 

For more information, visit the Beryl website 

Scheme pause ahead of relaunch

We announced last month that the current scheme will pause operations on 31 December 2022 in preparation for the new scheme’s launch. 

Bikes will begin to be removed from service from Monday 19 December and close for hires by 31 December.